William's eyes widened at her words, but he quickly regained his composure. In the 19th century, the East End was the poorest part of London - a place of countless mysteries and notorious incidents. He certainly hadn’t expected a lady to choose to visit it.

As they slowly walked toward the East End, William remained composed, though his mind raced with questions. He understood that the East End of today might be different from the one in Yuu and Victor's era, so he would have to wait and see what Yuu had to reveal. Still, his instincts sharpened - he knew this area could be unpredictable.

By the time they reached the East End, evening had already set in. As they ventured deeper, the streets grew more crowded with the poor, their clothes tattered and worn. Women cradled children in their arms, while younger ones approached William and Victor, whispering, “are you interested in some distraction?” Victor and William, they simply bowed their heads politely and moved forward, careful not to lose sight of Yuu.

Yuu glanced around. “This area looks exactly like the books I’ve read”, she mused. “But in our time, it’s clean, and the houses have been rebuilt. It’s no longer like this - filthy and filled with poverty.”

The people's faces were streaked with dirt, their clothes worn and unwashed. The houses looked aged, with cracked windows and walls with large cracks.

Victor took in the scene before him. “This definitely looks... different from our time,” he finally said aloud.

William’s eyes scanned the surroundings. “Keep moving forward and stay alert,” he reminded them. “This area can be dangerous if one doesn’t approach it with caution.”

They passed children running barefoot through the streets and women washing clothes, whispering among themselves. It was rare to see people dressed in fine clothing walking so casually through the area. Other locals watched the trio in silence as they walked by.

A group of men sat in the street, playing cards with pints of ale beside them. They eyed the passersby, and one of them called out to Yuu, “hey, pretty lady, looking for some fun?” The others burst into laughter. Yuu ignored them and pressed on toward the place she wanted to show William and Victor.

“It’s not far now, just a bit further,” she murmured as they navigated narrow alleys where only slivers of sunlight reached the ground. The sounds of the bustling streets faded behind them. “I truly want to find those drawings… and my little sanctuary.”

William’s ears caught the word ‘drawings,’ and a thought flickered in his mind. Could it be…?

“You sure have your little sanctuary far away, sis,” Victor remarked.

“That’s the point,” she replied with a soft giggle. “A place just for me and my thoughts, far from prying eyes.” She looked ahead - and at last, the ruins came into view.

An abandoned house stood before them, its walls cracked, with some sections entirely missing. The windows were nothing but empty frames, allowing sunlight to filter through the leaves and cast dappled patterns on the weathered stone. The ruins seemed to hold their breath, brimming with untold stories waiting to be unraveled.

Shadows crept into the corners, making the interior appear even darker - a stark contrast to the golden light outside. Nature had begun reclaiming the structure; trees surrounded it, their roots creeping inside, while ivy and moss clung stubbornly to the crumbling walls. Through the gaping windows, it was clear that the floor had long since vanished - only the aged walls remained, silent remnants of a forgotten past.

Yuu turned to the men, gesturing around. “This is my little sanctuary.” She took a step closer to the wall, where a small hole - just large enough for a person to slip through - was visible in the stone. She squeezed through and entered the ruins. As she ventured deeper, her eyes scanned the shadows, searching for the drawings she longed to find. The rustling grass beneath her feet whispered with each step. The two men followed closely behind her.

William knew this place well. As a child, he had come here with his brothers, Albert and Louis. It had been their secret hideout, a refuge where they could escape the outside world. But he made a conscious effort not to reveal his familiarity, keeping his expression stoic.

“So, this is where you used to hide!” Victor exclaimed. “I had no idea a place like this existed,” he added, taking in the view of the ruins from within.

”Of course not,” Yuu chuckled. “I never showed this place to anyone.” She moved deeper into the ruins, stepping into another space, her eyes lighting up as she clapped her hands. “There! They’re here! Thank God! I’ve wanted to see these drawings again. In this era, they look so vibrant - the colours haven’t faded at all.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she approached the drawings, gently brushing her fingertips over them.

On one wall, four drawings were displayed. The first depicted a serene lake or ocean surrounded by towering mountains. The second featured a garden, lush and enveloped in greenery. The third showcased a statue adorned with flowers, and the last illustrated expansive fields stretching far into the distance.

On the opposite wall, three more drawings graced the surface. One captured a lake surrounded by vibrant, lush greenery. Another depicted a cascading waterfall, its waters tumbling over rocks. The final drawing showed stairs leading to a beautiful garden, bursting with colourful flowers.

William stood there, at a loss for words. These drawings were a part of his own journey, carrying deep meaning from his past. Seeing someone from another era recognize this place left him speechless, and his expression softened. Yet, he wasn’t ready to reveal his secret - that he and his brothers had created these drawings when they were younger. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there were no coincidences in life...